HE HUMBLED HIMSELF.

 

EVENING DEVOTION by James Smith

APRIL 15

 

Philippians 2:8

And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself,

and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

 
Who did?
 
He who was the brightness of glory, the express image of the Father’s person.
 
He who was with God, and was God.
 
He who was the mighty God, the everlasting Father, and the Prince of peace.
 
How did he humble himself? By taking our nature.
 
By becoming a servant.
 
By stopping to obey, even unto death.
 
Look at the manager.
 
Look at the carpenter’s shop.
 
Look at the cottage of Nazareth.
 
Look at the Jordan.
 
Look at the homeless wanderer.
 
Look at Gethsemane.
 
Look at Golgotha.
 
Look at Joseph’s tomb.
 
Now you need not ask, “How did he humble himself?” The scene is before you.
 
But WHY did he humble himself? Because he loved us.
 
It was the stoop of majesty, under the influence of infinite love. He humbled himself that he might mingle with mankind-enter experimentally into our infirmities and wants-know our feelings- die in our stead-and having suffered being tempted, know how to succour those that are tempted.
 
He humbled himself to exalt us.
 
He stooped low, to raise us high.
 
Suffered, that we may rejoice.
 
Died, that we may live. Amazing humiliation!
 
Wondrous love!
 

Did pity ever stoop so low,

Dress’d in divinity and blood?

Was ever rebel courted so,

In groans of an expiring God?

 
James Smith